VWHS theatre announces new season

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Van Wert High School Theatre proudly presents the 2013-2014 season at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

This fall, VWHS theatre students will be performing The Miser, a classic comedy written by French playwright Moliere and adapted by Miles Malleson. The show starts out with the miser, known as Harpagon, trusting not a single person with his money and carefully keeping an eye on anyone getting near his garden where much of his treasure is buried.

He plans to marry off his children against their wishes and marry a young bride for himself. Can Harpagon succeed with his plans without losing his fortune and his mind? It is quite an adventure seeing the rollout of his plans through many funny situations and antics.

Satire and farce come together in this fast paced and hilarious show, which is being directed by Chad Kraner, with Melissa Bloomfield as assistant director and Hugh Saunier as technical director.

The Miser runs at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23, with both shows starting at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from cast members, the NPAC Box Office 419.238.NPAC, or at the door on the night of the performances.

On April 10-12, 2014, VWHS Theatre will be performing the exciting show of Footloose, the Musical on the Niswonger Performing Arts Center stage. The music is by Tom Snow, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie and is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford, with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

This musical, with the Oscar- and Tony-nominated score, along with a familiar and nostalgic story, will be the hit show to see this spring.

Life in small town Bomont is quiet until Ren, a Chicago boy, comes to town with his love for dance. He electrifies Bomont and brings dance back after a time of tragedy. Ren fights to overturn the ban on dance put in place by Reverend Shaw, but not without challenges, while also finding love and redemption along the way. Full of music, dancing, fun, humor, and energy, Footloose will have the audience wanting to sing and dance in the NPAC aisles.

Footloose, the Musical is under the direction of Kraner and music director Bloomfield, along with Bob Sloan as orchestra director, Saunier as technical director, and Josh Schumm as set coordinator.  Performances will be at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center from Thursday to Saturday, April 10-12, 2014. Tickets go on sale in March. Stay tuned for more information, as these wonderful shows get closer to performance time.